Tent



May 24, 193s.v M. POWERS TENT - Filed-March '12, 1957 I 2 ets-Sheet l fizz/6 77 07" F/d/z% 1/. Pawer May 24, 1938. F. M. POWERS TENT Filed March 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENT Delaware Application March 12,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tents and more especially to a tent provided with a canopy or awning. For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have here shown the same applied to an umbrella tent, although it is obvious that with slight alterations the invention may be utilized with tents of other forms and shapes.

The principal feature of my invention is the provision of means for making a pitch or water shed in the canopy or awning. As is well known, such a canopy is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and usually about horizontal. Two of its corners are attached to and supported by the tent and the other two corners are supported by two poles.

That is, the canopy is ordinarily held in substantially a horizontal position. In the ordinary canopy construction of this kind difficulty has been encountered in the past due to accumulation of rain water on the canopy, causing it to sag, with consequent leakage and. deterioration of the fabric. In my improved construction means are provided for raising and supporting central portions of the canopy to provide a sort of peak, peaks, or ridge at a slight elevation to cause more effective drainage of water from the canopy.

Other features and advantages will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In those forms of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, Fig. 2 is a top plan view, and Figs. 3 and 4 are vews similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively showing a modified form.

As shown in the drawings, I0 indicates in general a tent of the umbrella type, employing a conventional construction utilizing a center pole II with a suitable frame l2 at the junction of the roof and side walls. The details of the tent construction need not be shown as they form no part of the present invention; and it is to be understood that my invention is applicable to many types of tents of various constructions.

I3 indicates a substantially rectangular canopy or awning supported in a horizontal position in front of the tent. In general, this awning is held in a conventional manner by fastening its rear corners I4 and I5 to the corners of the tent. For example, attachment may be made to the pins I6 and I1 respectively, carried by the frame I2 of the tent proper. The outer corners of the canopy I3 may be held in a conventional manner by means of poles I8 and. guy ropes I9. It is to be understood that the method and means 1937, Serial N0. 130,436

of supporting the corners of the canopy may be of any conventional form, many of which are in common use at the present time.

This invention pertains particularly to the means for giving the canopy a pitch to form a water shed, and such means will now be described more in detail.

As shown in the drawings, the top of the center pole II is provided with the usual metal pin Ha projecting through the top of the tent at the peak. Likewise, the poles l8 at the outer corners of the canopy have similar pins Ilia, I811. 20 indicates a rope attached to the pin Hot at one end with the other end attached at 2| to the bridle ropes 22, 22, having their outer ends attached to the pins I8a, I8a.

Fastened to the canopy I3 are one or more loops or rings engaging the rope 20 or the ropes 22 and serving to lift the center of the canopy at one or more points to form peaks or a ridge to cause the water to drain therefrom. For example, as here shown, I provide three of such rings, 30, 3I and 32, arranged in a line along the center of the canopy from front to back. The ring 31! engages the bridle ropes 22, 22 and holds the same together at this point. The rings 3| and 32 engage the rope 20. The ring 32 is preferably fastened on a strap 3201; to space it away from the canopy a short distance so the canopy will not be raised too high at this point.

34, 34 indicate tighteners carried by the ropes 22, 22 so that the tension may be adjusted as desired.

In the device of Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown the supporting ropes under the canopy. In these views similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals augmented by I00.

HO indicates the tent with the centerpole I II and the frame H2.

H3 indicates the canopy or awning with its rear corners H4 and H5 fastened to the corners of the tent. The outer corners of the canopy are held by the poles H8 supported by the guy ropes H9.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the rope I20 corresponding to the rope 20 in the other form is attached to the center pole III somewhat below the top. It is to be understood, however, that in either form the rope 20 or I20 may be attached to either the pin Ha, or IHa at the top of the pole or else to the pole itself some distance below the pin. As in the other form the rope I20 has its outer end attached at I2I to the bridle ropes I22 having their outer ends attached to the pins H8a at the tops of the poles H8. The seam where the canopy H3 is attached to the roof of the tent is indicated by 200 and it will be seen that this seam is preferably somewhat V-shaped so that the canopy in the center is attached to the roof at a point somewhat higher than at the corners. The suitable opening in the roof is provided at 2M just under this canopy seam for the rope I20 to pass through. The tighteners I34 provided in the bridle ropes may be used to tighten the ropes and this will form a ridge along the canopy under the rope I20. This ridge at the outer extremity of the canopy will divide and follow the bridle ropes I22.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a tent having a peak; a substantially horizontal polygonal canopy at one side of the tent with two outer corners supported by poles, the peak of the tent extending higher than the canopy; a rope with one end attached to the tent at or near the peak at an elevation above the canopy and the other end attached to bridle ropes connected to the poles supporting the outer corners of the canopy; and means for supporting a portion of said canopy from said ropes in raised position to produce a pitch in said canopy to shed rain water therefrom.

2. A tent structure according to claim 1, in

which the bridle ropes are connected to the upper end of the poles supporting the outer corners of the canopy.

3. A tent structure according to claim 1, in which the means for supporting a portion of the canopy from the ropes includes a member having one portion connected to said ropes and the other portion connected to said canopy.

4. A tent structure according to claim 1, in which a portion of the canopy is supported from the ropes in raised position by placing the canopy over a portion of said ropes.

5. In combination with a tent having a center pole; a substantially horizontal polygonal canopy at one side of the tent with two outer corners supported by poles, the center pole of the tent extending higher than the canopy; a rope with one end attached to the center pole of the tent at an elevation above the canopy and the other end attached to bridle ropes connected to the poles supporting the outer corners of the canopy; and means for supporting a portion of said canopy from said ropes in raised position to produce a pitch in said canopy to shed rain water therefrom.

6. A tent structure according to claim 5, in which the bridle ropes are connected to the upper end of the poles supporting the outer corners of the canopy.

7. A tent structure according to claim 5, in which the means for supporting a portion of the canopy from the ropes includes a member having one portion connected to said ropes and the other portion connected to said canopy.

8. A tent structure according to claim 5, in which a portion of the canopy is supported from the ropes in raised position by placing the canopy over a portion of said ropes.

FRANK M. POWERS. 

